Improvement in bed-bottoms



'UNITED Srnrns PATENTDFFIGE.

EDWIN A. JEFFEBY, -oF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERsnY.

lMPRovE-ME-NT IN B ED-'Bom-owls.Z

Specification forming part of `Letters Patent No. 200,397, dated February 19, 1878 application iiled i November 19, 1877..V f

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN A. J EFFERY, of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Collapsible Bed-Bottoms, of which the following is a speciiication:

This invention is best adapted to that class of bed-bottoms which are composed of coiledwire springs arranged in rows, and connected at their tops by means of chains or other ilexible connections; and it consists, essentially, in so connecting the slats bearing the springs by means of exible strips or links that they may be brought close together to economize space in packing, or separated as far as the links or strips will admit, to form a bottom, the bed-bottom being held in this distended condition by means of suitable straining-toggles, or other equivalent devices, all as will be hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan of my improved bed-bottom distended for use. Fig. 2 is a bottoni view of the same collapsed for convenience of packing or transportation. Figs. 3 and 4 are end views of the same, the iirst showing it partly and the other Wholly collapsed.

In the precise construction herein shown for the purpose of illustrating my invention, AA are coiled springs in the form of inverted cones, such as are in common use in spring bed-bot toms. These are mounted upon slats B B, preferably made of tough sheet or hoop metal, but not necessarily. These slats are attached to a suitable number of flexible strips, C G, which will permit the slats to be pushed together, as in Fig. 4, without offering any appreciable resistance. I prefer to make these connections between the slats of strong webbing or some other textile material; but they may be made of leather or felt or cords.

Metal might be used if properly jointed or linked, so as to permit the slats to be pushed together, and oii'er no appreciable or hurtful resistance thereto.

I prefer, for simplicity, to secure the slats to the strips of webbing at equal distances apart, so that when the bottom is distended they will be parallel. The springs are conmeans of chains or cords, in the usual Way.

D D are toggle-levers, pivoted at a a to the marginal slats, and provided with a shoulder, b, and detent c at the knuckle 5 or some equivalent stop or check may be provided at the knuckle, so long as it servesto prevent the knuckle from passing beyond, in one direction, a line drawn between the points a a, and in this possesses all the characteristics of a rulejoint. A pair of these levers is shown at each end; and when they are straightened, asin Fig. l, the iiexible connections C C between the slats are stretched tight and the slats held iirmly in their places. When these toggles are broken in7 at the knuckles, the bottom may be collapsed, as shown, the springs offering no obstacle, but intermeshing with each other, as in Figs. 3 and 4. In these iigures, to avoid confusion, only the positions assumed by the end springs are shown,`as these are sufficient to illustrate the positions of all.

As an equivalent of the toggles D, Which act only between the marginal strips or slats, toggles maybe placed between adjoining slats, all combining to produce the proper distension.

- E E are side strips, rigidly secured to the marginal' springsat the top. These serve to keep the springs steady, and to form a guard at the edge of the bed.

To preserve the rectangular form of the bottom when distended, a diagonal strip o r strips, G, may be provided. This strip may be pivoted to one marginal slat, and be arranged to take hold of a pin or stud on the other marginal slat when the bottom is distended 3 or, in

lieu of one strip, two or more strips may be arranged in the same manner, to extend diagonally acrossrthe corners. These braces, however, are not absolutely essential.

The construction ofthe bottom, as above described, enables me to compress withima cross-section of six by eight inches (see Fig. 4) a bedbottom which will extend to four feet wide, which is a very great desideratum. When tied up for packing and transportation, the guard-strips E E serve a useful purA pose in furnishing a bearing-surface for the binding-cords.

nected together at the top, and steadied by I am aware that bed-bottoms are made having elastic cross-slats, which will bend with suiicient ease and readiness to permit the bottom to be rolled or doubled up laterally', and I make no claim to this; but

What I do claim is- 1. Aspring bed-bottom. in which the springs are mounted upon slats connected together by a flexible cross strip or strips, (l C, of webbing or its substantial equivalent, which will permit the bottom to collapse, the same being provided with a suitable distending and straining mechanism, with stops at the knuckles, substantiallyr as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the slats B B, bearing suitable springs, the flexible connections C C, of webbing or its equivalent, and the toggle-levers D D, having rule-joints, or being stopped at the knuckles in some equivalent manner, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. In combination with the slats B B, connections() O, and toggle-levers D D,the brace or braces Gr, as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWIN A. J EFFERY.

Witnesses:

HENRY GONNETT, SAM. TRO. SMITH. 

